Thursday, July 6 2006 14:57 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

London: Roger Federer demolished Croatian dangerman Mario Ancic 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 on Wednesday to move just two wins away from a fourth Wimbledon title and admitted his performance had even surprised himself.

The world number one shrugged off two lengthy rain delays to rack up his 46th win in a row on grass against the man who was the last player to beat him here in 2002.

Federer, who now faces either the Czech Republic's Radek Stepanek or Jonas Bjorkman of Sweden for a place in Sunday's final, was never in trouble in his quarter-final triumph over the seventh seed whose stylish serve-and-volley game had been expected to cause major problems.

"When you get surprised, I get surprised, too. It's not ordinary when he comes to the net and every time you pass him," said Federer.

"It's really been working well for me this whole tournament. I've been serving excellent, I've been returning good, and especially the passing shots have been incredible," he said.

"It's the passing shots which have surprised myself the most," he said.

Federer, who has now reached a ninth successive Grand Slam semi-final, also believes he is playing with a greater freedom.

"You get to feel that you're absolutely in control. You're not afraid to try anything, you're not afraid to hit the ball hard, you're not afraid to go for aces," he said.

"That's the sensation you get when you're playing so well. That's exactly what I felt today," he said.

Ancic, who was also beaten by Federer in the French Open quarter-finals, admitted that the Swiss star was virtually unplayable.

"There were winners coming from nowhere," said the 22-year-old.

"He was faultless. He's Roger Federer. What else can you say?" he said.



The pair managed just four games on Centre Court before rain caused a 90-minute rain interruption but, when they returned, Federer seized control breaking straightaway to lead 3-2.

He smoothly clinched the first set 6-4 after 36 minutes.

Federer broke Ancic again in the opening game of the second set, backing it up with a love-service game.

With Federer ahead 3-2, back came the rain which kept the players off court for another hour.



But Ancic's fortunes didn't improve on the resumption with the world number one wrapping up the second set after only 70 minutes of playing time.

Federer grabbed a double break to lead 3-0 in the third set before Ancic stopped the rot with a break of his own in the fourth game, only the second time the top seed had lost his serve in the entire tournament.

However, he wasn't to be denied and took the tie on his third match point with an ace after 1hr 46min.